Texas Football: Week 7 vs Iowa State Schedule, Preview, Prediction

Texas football returns home to DKR this weekend after a month away. The Longhorns (2-3) are in the midst of a three-game losing streak. They will try to right the ship and build some momentum going forward. To do that, they’ll need to take care of Iowa State (1-4) who has proven to be tougher than their record would indicate.

Where to Watch

Saturday, October 15, 6:00 PM CT, LHN

What to Watch For

Texas needs a win in a major way. Pressure is mounting on Charlie Strong and his Longhorn coaching staff to start producing, particularly on defense. The team has not looked good in dropping three straight games and their season-opening win over Notre Dame has lost its luster with the Irish dealing with struggles of their own. Strong can’t afford running this losing streak to four games.

Iowa State is a team that is tougher than their record suggests. Despite being 1-5 and 0-3 in Big 12 play, they have been very close to big-time upsets in each of their last two games. They pushed Baylor to the brink before falling 45-42 October 1. Last week, they went into Stillwater and hung with Oklahoma State, losing by just seven, 38-31 (which is much closer than Texas’ 49-31 loss to the Pokes).

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The Cyclones will end up finishing at or near the bottom of the Big 12 standings at the end of the year. However, they have enough talent to have a puncher’s chance of pulling off an upset any given week. Quarterback Joel Lanning has been efficient in the passing offense, throwing six touchdowns and no interceptions over the last four games. Mike Warren has three touchdowns in the last three games and has rushed for over 100 yards twice in that same span. Allen Lazard is a big-bodied playmaker at receiver and is coming off a two-touchdown game against Oklahoma State.

Charlie Strong has had trouble with this Iowa State program since arriving at Texas. In 2014, Texas narrowly escaped a home upset 48-45. Last year, the Longhorns were embarrassed in Ames 24-0. Handling business against the Cyclones will help Strong in a number of ways. The biggest, of course, would be in snapping their current skid.

Keys to Victory

Hold Them Under 40 – The Texas offense has been excellent this season, averaging 41 points per game. They should be able to get rolling against Iowa State, the No. 9 defense in the Big 12. However, the Horns defense has to do their part. Texas ranks last in the conference in scoring defense and has allowed at least 45 points in four of five games this season. If they keep Iowa State under 40, the Longhorns should score enough to win this game.
Feed D’Onta Foreman – There is no stopping Foreman when he gets his carries. The junior leads the Big 12 in every rushing stat possible and ranks No. 2 in FBS in yards per game. Iowa State has the worst run defense in the Big 12, ranking No. 115 nationally, allowing 235.5 yards per game on the ground. Foreman is a load even for good rushing defenses and should overwhelm the Cyclones in this game.
Keep Your Cool – On paper, Texas is the far better team but Iowa State has a way of hanging around. They played them tough the last time they came to Austin and have already lost close games this season to Baylor and Oklahoma State. Both those clubs, on paper, are far better than the Cyclones. Texas cannot panic if the game is tight in the fourth quarter. Stay focused, stay calm, and stick to the gameplan of controlling the game with the running game.

Prediction

This Texas offense is too good and the defense (hopefully) has too much pride to lose a fourth straight game. This is one of the few games left on the schedule that Texas is going to be favored to win. While they may not cover the spread (currently at 14 points), the Longhorns should win this game and get back on the winning track.

Texas 45, Iowa State 35

Next: 5 Things Charlie Strong Must Do To Save His Job

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Texas Football vs Iowa State: Week 7 Schedule, Preview, and Prediction

By Tyler Brett | Oct 14, 2016